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Shared

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Struggling artist Ariane Arlington flees the Welsh valleys after exposing her corrupt boss. But when the sun rises she finds herself jobless and homeless in Cardiff city with barely a penny to her name.

She responds to an advert in the local paper—Room to let, wanted, girl to share. What she doesn’t realize is that the two insanely gorgeous guys who live in the penthouse apartment really do want a girl to share, in every sense of the word. Fortunately for Ariane, rent is the last thing on their minds.

She discovers the men are bound together by a turbulent past. Liam, a computer whiz, keeps a painful secret hidden beneath his buff exterior, whilst Quinn, a pioneering neurosurgeon, wonders if he’ll ever meet a woman who can live with his controlling ways. They admit the one thing missing from their lives is a woman just like Ariane, who can handle them both in and out of the bedroom and who, together, they can keep satisfied, loved and most of all, safe.

* Please note, Shared was previously published with different cover art.*

164 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2010

143 people are currently reading
458 people want to read

About the author

Lily Harlem

248 books686 followers
Meet your next sexy as f*ck book boyfriend!

You'll love my Alpha male heroes and the women who (try to) tame them, so dive into my vast selection of steamy romances and be prepared to stay up late into the night being seduced by kinky dukes, hot hockey players, masterful Vikings and badass bikers. (To name a few!)

And to get you started, and my way of saying 'welcome to my world', grab a FREE ebook of your choice from my website www.lilyharlem.com

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5 stars
140 (26%)
4 stars
163 (31%)
3 stars
157 (29%)
2 stars
46 (8%)
1 star
19 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Miz Love.
222 reviews24 followers
May 17, 2011
Once again I didn’t read the blurb prior to reading. Having read Ms. Harlem’s Escape to the Country yesterday, I knew because I’d enjoyed her writing style that I didn’t need to know what the story was about. Besides, having not read the blurb for Escape to the Country, and being sent on a wonderfully insane journey, I liked the idea of “going in blind” again. It worked. With no clue as to what I should anticipate, I therefore had no expectations, and allowed myself the pleasure of just reading what was on offer.

Ms. Harlem’s first person is lovely. It’s conversational and somewhat intimate, where I had a great insight inside Ariane’s mind but also, through the author’s skill, was able to find out all I needed to know about Quinn and Liam without ever having to read from their point of view.

Ariane finds out her boss is a sleazy jerk, and after realizing this—thankfully before she totally fell for his charm and had sex with him—she flees. Finding an ad in the newspaper, she visits the expensive apartment, knowing she couldn’t possibly afford the rent that surely must be high. However, when she arrives, she discovers she’ll be able to live there rent free until she gets on her feet again. Now, some may say in real life this just isn’t plausible, that good fortune like this just doesn’t happen, but I’m of the mind that it does and can happen—there are good people out there—and Ms. Harlem showed this in such a way that it came across as totally plausible. She did the same with how quickly Ariane got attached to Liam and Quinn, and vice versa. Sometimes things just happen like that. There is no rhyme or reason, no rigid rules or plans we follow, it just is.

Ariane quickly finds out the men not only need a woman to share their apartment, but also their lives and beds. There is nothing sordid in their unions—rather that they are three consenting adults who have chosen an alternative lifestyle to everyone else. What seems wrong to one person is totally right for another, and I enjoyed exploring this while reading Shared. I would not be comfortable with this arrangement, and I suppose one could ask: So why do you read ménage?

Well, I like reading things that push the envelope and show me how others live. Just because I would not do the same as them, it doesn’t mean I’m not fascinated by their life choices. I also love thinking, as one does in pauses between reading, of extra scenarios. I ponder things like: What if one guy falls for her harder than the other and gets jealous? What if she prefers one guy over the other, but because she’s agreed to share them both, she feels trapped when the other wants her? What happens when she argues with one of them? The two men are very good friends, share a very strong bond, so does that mean, with their love for her and them feeling they ought to protect her, that it might taint the males’ relationship?

Of course, all these questions were answered the more I read, but I like a book that gives me pause for thought. I like to imagine how I would react in that situation, how I would feel. I actually admire any woman who can keep two men entertained. I had thoughts of her being exhausted if their initial rush to have sex often kept up. But of course, life settles down, they form a pattern, and they’re not at it like rabbits all the time.

The epilogue was very sweet. I hadn’t anticipated it at all, and again I was thrown into question-asking mode. I won’t say what those questions are because it would be a plot spoiler, but I’m safe to say they are sharing so much by the end of the book that the negative in me couldn’t help but wonder how this new turn of events would work out for all parties concerned. How do they explain things to those who would frown upon their life choice? And things would need explaining with regards to what happens in the epilogue, no doubt about that. That isn’t a negative observation, by the way, but just a general musing of this reader’s mind. I’m sure people living this lifestyle manage pretty fine with their explanations, but I do worry that they also face some kind of stigma and have people frown upon them for what they have chosen to do. I hate to think the trio in Shared will face bigotry and being shunned. I’ll be honest and say I got attached to them all and even though they’re not real, there are people out there who have to put up with those less-than-nice people and are made unhappy.

So, as you can see, as well as being an entertaining story, Shared has the potential to make you sit and think. The same happened for me yesterday with Escape to the Country, and I suspect this is a trait of Ms. Harlem’s. She doesn’t just write a book. She writes What Ifs that prod the mind long after the book has ended.

I loved the vulnerability of the two men. Both have pasts—very different—and both need Ariane to help them overcome the hurt, the fear, and her strength to embrace the future. Conversely, she also needs them to help her with her past. They’re not a mixed-up-in-the-head trio with their issues, by the way. They do fit well together—okay, in more ways than one *giggle*—and each person gives something to the others that the remaining two maybe can’t. It works.
Profile Image for Rochelle.
789 reviews43 followers
May 3, 2016
Tons of steamy scenes!!! There's also a lot of emotional feels throughout. The story grabs you and pulls you in.
Profile Image for Nickcole.
971 reviews67 followers
April 29, 2014
Stars: 4.5

Overall: This story was a wild and sexy read that I couldn't get enough of. The story starts with Ariane on a train running way from a problem. She ends up in a city and sits down with the paper looking for a room to rent. She sees an AD in the paper that says Girl to Share and calls and makes plans to go check it out. Once she gets there, she realizes that the price is going to be way out of her budget, but the man that lives there Liam insists that she at least give it a trial run before saying No. Right off the bat there is sexual chemistry between them but there will be time for that later. Ariane takes a quick nap and when she awakes Quinn is sitting at the end of her bed. He asks her to dinner and she agrees and after dinner they get back to the apartment and almost immediately start to mess around. Liam walks in on them and that starts there menage a trois. The sex between them is hot and heavy and I couldn't get enough of it. Boy would I love to be apart of that sandwich.

Characters: Liam & Ariane & Quinn

Page Turner: Oh yes!

Series Cont: Yes!

Recommend: YES!!
Profile Image for Alison.
745 reviews
May 21, 2015
After finding herself in Cardiff with only last nights clothes on her back Ariane does not know what to do with herself.. She cant go home - she has just blown the whistle on her scumbag boss.

Answering the strange ad in the newsagents window 'Wanted, Girl to share' was not going to be the most mind blowing thing to happen to Ariane this week. Liam and Quinn take an instant liking to Ariane and make her feel like the most loved woman on Earth.

This book is not for the narrow minded - they share Ariane in everyway. The chemistry is off the charts - I think my kindle may have just been on the verge of melting!!

Copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Debi.
249 reviews6 followers
May 23, 2013
“I received this copy in return for an honest review”
“BAY VIEW APARTMENTS” “WANTED-GIRL TO SHARE”
What would you think if you read that advertisement? Oh my is all I can say about this one. (waves at face) This is one hot ménage story. Great story line by Lily and man oh man I can’t wait to read Shared Too. This is a must for those who like threesomes!
Profile Image for Steffi.
402 reviews65 followers
March 22, 2015
“I received this copy in return for an honest review”

Who ever said that three's a crowd has never read this. It was a perfect read, drama, hot men and steamy encounters. If you love a threesome read this
26 reviews4 followers
August 21, 2014
Note: I received this review copy of Shared for free from the author in return for an honest review. The opinions and thoughts I share in this review are my own.



Please also note that this book is an erotic threesome (MFM) romance book and is not (in my opinion) suitable for under 18’s. Adults, please use your discretion to make your own decision.



Ariane has run away from her job, friends, home and entire life with only the clothes on her back and whatever was in her small handbag after finding out that the boss in the midst of seducing her is extremely corrupt and stealing money from the company. Originally an artist by trade, Ariane runs to Cardiff, wanting to hide away for a while somewhere safe from her now ex boss. Hoping to find a flat, Ariane is shocked to find out how little she can afford and ends up circling and ringing the only newspaper advert that doesn’t contain a price; Room to let, shared, girl wanted. Going to see the flat she finds a penthouse and an amazing place it is – well out of her price range. Liam, one of the owners convinces her to stay and the attraction is immediate. Allowing herself to be coddled for a while, Ariane stays and soon meets Quinn. Unknown to Ariane, Liam and Quinn – both professional, successful and busy men – have decided that since they have so little opportunity to meet women and especially don’t have time between them to each have a girl, they will share one. By no means gay, their friendship is strong and they won’t get jealous. Will Ariane consent to the terms of the let?

I really enjoyed the story and found the premise to be intriguing; not one I had come across before. I found the characters to be interesting and well written with good points and bad points which made them all far more human than words on a page often are. I loved the controlling Quinn giving up some of his control to Ariane and Liam being willing to tell Ariane his secret.

This is an erotic romance and there were a lot of sex scenes and I found these to be extremely hot, sexy and evocative. It was all very well described and I loved it! The story was around 100 pages shorter than The Silk Tie (also by Lily Harlem) and i was surprised by how much fit in, although not in any hurried way. It also contained an element of thriller fiction which I guessed at but very much enjoyed.

Lily Harlem has also written a follow-up titled ‘Shared Too’. Having enjoyed the ending of this book, i’m not sure if I will read book 2. Right now I don’t want things to change from the way this book ended, especially having read a few teaser reviews of the story of Shared Too. Maybe in a few months I may feel differently.

Shared is another fantastic story from the pen of the very talented Lily Harlem and I can’t wait to read more by this author – The Glass Knot awaits impatiently!
Profile Image for Georgana ~ Valentine PR & Literary Managment.
437 reviews13 followers
April 29, 2014
Nina's review

“…I’m thoroughly looking forward to being the most pampered, sexually satisfied, adored woman to have ever walked the earth.”

I have had Shared by Lily Harlem on my TBR list for months. I read about it in an article showcasing some of the hottest ménage scenes written. I am still not sure which scene they were talking about, as they were all a bit scorching to me!

I met Ms. Harlem a few weeks ago when we were working on another project together, and just fell in love with her. When I told her I was dying to read Shared, it was in my inbox within minutes and on my nook shortly after. I devoured this book in one sitting and was just floored by her level of writing such an intimate and beautiful love story.

Shared focuses on Ariane and her two roommates Quinn and Liam. The way they are brought together was a fun little ride and the blossoming of their relationship was just a delight. I loved how she fell for both men in such different ways. Her newness to the world of ménage was a breath of fresh air and having Quinn and Liam walk her through the steps was not only hot, it was extremely real to me. Ms. Harlem does not skip any of the vivid steps of how a threesome comes together in the bedroom, or even on a couch. In fact, when Ariane was losing her “anal virginity” it was one of the few times I have read that act where I felt like the author got the emotions and feelings of such an intimate act perfectly.

If you are into reading ménage, this book will not disappoint you in any way….if you are new to the world of ménage this book will draw you in and make you a fan very quickly. Shared was a beautiful story of three people falling in love with each other and making a very successful go of an unconventional relationship, yet as normal to them as any other we see out there today!
314 reviews7 followers
August 11, 2016
After a disastrous time with her boss leads Ariane to call the police and literally leave town with only the clothes on her back, she wonders what on earth she will do next. An advert in the paper asking for 'girl wanted to share' grabs her attention. Things definitely look up when she gets a tour of the luxury flat from the handsome and very hot Liam. How can she afford to live in such a swanky pad though? Liam and his flat mate Quinn have the answer and its every hot blooded woman's (or at least this one's) dream come true. Will it work out to everyone's satisfaction? Will Ariane's past rear its ugly head? Is there a flat with a Liam and a Quinn just waiting out there for me? Extremely hot sex that will have you performing the sit and squeeze technique that every Erotica reader knows well and incredibly likeable characters. Fantastic book, loved it.
Profile Image for Sandy Knox.
1,280 reviews18 followers
September 1, 2015
GREAT READ! I totally enjoyed this book. Ariane answered an ad in the paper for a girl to share but what she doesn't know is that they literally want a girl to share. As soon as she meets Liam and Quinn their attraction is instantaneous. As they get to know each other their chemistry gets stronger and stronger and then wet your panties set your crotch on fire the sex is freakin amazing!! Lol. Everyday they step it up a little more. The only thing I didn't like about this book was it could use more history on the characters and 130 pages was definitely not long enough. At times I cried and at times it had me on the edge of my seat but it's mostly a feel good story and I would definitely recommend it to everyone.
Profile Image for Book Monitor.
871 reviews14 followers
July 27, 2016
If you leave your common sense at the cover/ title page then this is a fun erotic read. A young woman, whose previous lover is now married to someone else, gets sweet-talked by her boss, it all goes horribly sideways and she finds herself in a new town with limited money and nowhere to go. Serendipity intervenes in the form of a local newspaper ad and suddenly her life has got a whole load sexier and interesting.
Strangely this works: the sex is explicit and scorching, the characters have some depth and personality along with hot good looks and an ultra cool flat.
What is not to like?
This book probably won't win any nobel prize for literature but if there is a prize for escapism this could well be up there.
Profile Image for Amy.
386 reviews
August 16, 2015
Not every story is going to be a home run. What I most liked was that this was well edited, and bother the male characters were likable guys. It was a little too insta-lovish for me, but then ménage often is. It really was hot-- mostly sex with a small plot, but it was a nice change of page from the more recent stories I have read. I'm actually thinking about checking out the sequel. We'll have to see...
Profile Image for Pebbles.
220 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2016
Okay

The author can certainly write well but the issue for me was within 1 day both men had her in bed and within a week declaring deep and meaningful feelings to each other. The story would have had more credibility if it hadn't of unfolded so quickly, it needed the sexual tension to be undeniable and palpable. With a bit more work this story could have been deeper and more memorable. This author has talent and I hope she continues to get better.
Profile Image for Heather.
58 reviews4 followers
August 4, 2013
This book is the reason I should always check Goodreads before reading and see what people have said. 2 stars are generous in my opinion. This was just all over the place and there was no flow. It was just a bunch of random sex with a tiny plot (if it can be called that) thrown in for good measure.
Profile Image for MountainKat.
2,334 reviews107 followers
May 1, 2014
*3- Stars*

OK story, nice enough characters, but something was missing. There was lots of sex, but not enough emotions. It all happened too fast without any foundation. The conflict, if you can call it one, was very predictable. And the ending was sappy sweet. It was OK, but it didn't really work for me.
Profile Image for Brigette.
179 reviews
September 3, 2012
Before I start reading this book I was so excited about reading it. But I was kind of disappointed with the book, I mean it didn't have a drama to develop I was just expecting something a little more complicated.
53 reviews
April 24, 2013
I very much enjoy erotica, but this book doesn't even fake a storyline - at least not an even remotely plausible one: it is pretty much pure p-rn. It should come with a seedy (not as in CD!) playlist of background 'p-rn music' that readers can play...
Profile Image for Tracey.
80 reviews
July 24, 2013
If someone told me, "You'll be the most pampered, sexually satisfied, adored woman ever to walk the earth." I'd say "where do I sign up?" This book was fun , sexy, & had a little danger twist - absolutely perfect for a great read.
Profile Image for Malden.
245 reviews2 followers
February 2, 2014
There are erotic books that are a great reads such as 50, In Flight, This Man, Knight & Play, Knights Mistress, Bared to You, etc, etc. then there are books that are in all actuality purely scripts for a porn movie. This is ind of those. I could not even finish this one...
Profile Image for Jill  Kirtley.
1,483 reviews11 followers
September 15, 2016
A Great Read!!!!

Another great read from Lily Harlem, the characters were great, the sex scenes were hot, the storyline was excellent and had me hooked from start to finish. I love menage storylines and this one didn't disappoint. I would highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Shoshanna Evers.
Author 50 books476 followers
July 6, 2011
I've been wanting to read this since I first saw the excerpt, and it's as good as I hoped it would be. Scorching hot menage and great characterization!
Profile Image for 43tra.
15 reviews
November 5, 2011
It was good for me because of the happy ending. So it got 4 stars, but I found it a bit to fast. It was in hyper speed from the jump.
Profile Image for Tracy .
786 reviews8 followers
June 10, 2012
Good sexy read! Great characters and a happy ending!
Profile Image for Risbee.
431 reviews23 followers
dnf
July 24, 2012
I had no clue what was going on in this story from the first page...it was almost manic.

Then she started talking about her "neat triangle of pubes" and it was all over.

Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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